The Chinese New Year is the most important festival in the Chinese calendar. The 23rd of January was New Years Day in China. The date changes every year because of the moon. Celebrations begin on New Years Eve with a special dinner for all the family. Parents give red packages to their children, which have money in them.People do not sleep during New Years Eve because they believe that if they do not see the passing of the year their lives will be shorter. Each house is locked to keep out the evil spirits who might be about at this time. Each year is named after one of twelve animals. 2001 is the year of the snake. Most of the people in second class were born in the year of the cockerel and monkey. Our teacher was born in the year of the dragon.